Alice RD
With the onset of hot, July summer days, I’m noticing a lot of frothy, creamy iced coffee beverages being sipped and slurped around town. These icy treats seem like a great way to enjoy a morning coffee on your way to work, but if you are trying to lose or maintain weight, a daily dose may not be such a good idea.
In this week’s AICR HealthTalk, Registered Dietitian Karen Collins discusses iced coffee – how high calories can get in these drinks and how to make a healthier choice. Did you know you could be getting up to 700 calories in a large sized drink if you add syrup and whipped cream?
AICR’s expert report found that sugary drinks probably lead to weight gain, overweight and obesity which in turn can increase risk for several cancers. You may not think of that creamy coffee drink as a “sugary drink,” but many of those hundreds of calories do come from sugar. When we get calories from beverages, we may not feel as full, so we end up eating as much as we would have with a lower calorie drink.
So – what to do? Order a 12 oz. iced skim milk latte, hold the syrup and whipped cream. Or try this Iced Almond Chai from our Health-e-Recipes. You’ll have a refreshing calcium-rich beverage that doesn’t tip the scales.
What’s your favorite iced coffee or tea beverage?
